Despite huge leads earlier in September, Authentic Osi Umenyiora Jersey the American League wild card-leading Boston Red Sox and National League wild card-leading Atlanta Braves are both out of the playoff picture, and, instead, the Tampa Bay Rays and St. Louis Cardinals snuck their way into the playoffs.In improbable comebacks, the Rays and Cardinals postseason runs were quite similar to the 2010 San Francisco Giants run to the World Series last season, perhaps a sign of good omens to come in the playoffs. In the final day of regular season MLB action, an unprecedented amount of drama in the wild-card races of both leagues led to some suspenseful moments during three season finales with playoff implications. While the Cardinals 8-0 win over the Houston Astros earlier in the day was less than thrilling, the Braves 13-inning loss to the Philadelphia Phillies doomed Atlantas playoff hopes. After Braves closer Craig Kimbrel(notes) gave up the game-tying run in the ninth and Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence(notes) hit a two-out, run-scoring single in the 13th, the Braves went through an unexplainable collapse."It was tough to be so close and then have the feeling like it was falling out of your hands," Kimbrel said. "And thats the feeling I have now."As for the Red Sox, they too held a one-run lead in the ninth inning over the Baltimore Orioles. However, after Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon(notes) struck out the first two batters in the bottom of the ninth, the elite closer could not seal the deal, allowing a double to Chris Davis(notes), a ground rule double to Nolan Reimold(notes) to score pinch-runner Kyle Hudson(notes), and then a single by Robert Andino(notes) that was mishandled at the end by left fielder Carl Crawford(notes).Just minutes later, the Rays, with their own stunning eight-run rally, defeated the New York Yankees in the 12th inning on a walk-off home run by Evan Longoria(notes).The Red Sox held a nine-game lead over the Rays in the AL wild card in early September yet found themselves tied for the wild card lead on the last day of Giants Osi Umenyiora Jersey the regular season. This epic landslide makes Boston the first team to miss the playoffs after leading by nine games or more entering the final month of the regular season.As for the NL wild card, the Cardinals trailed the Braves by 10 1/2 games on Aug. 25 but went on an unlikely streak Osi Umenyiora Jersey Blue to win 23 of their last 31 games. Atlanta, on the other hand, dropped 18 of its last 27 games and was tied with St. Louis for the wild card lead on the final day of regular-season play. Thanks to their late-season futility, the Braves added their name to the list of teams who wasted their playoff lead and missed the postseason.When reviewing the seasons of the Rays and Cardinals, they both look quite similar to the season by the 2010 World Series champion Giants. In 2010, the Giants finished Permier Osi Umenyiora Jersey the season 92-70, their largest lead in the NL West was only three games, and the furthest they were behind in their division lead was 7 Replica Osi Umenyiora Jersey 1/2 games on July 4, 2010.As for Official Osi Umenyiora Jersey the Cardinals, they finished with 90 wins on the season, had their largest lead of 3 1/2 games in the NL Central wholesale jerseys china on May 27 and were 10 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the division lead. As for the Rays, who are even more similar to the Giants improbable postseason run, they finished the year with 91 wins, a big lead of three games in the AL East on May 16 and overcame a 11 1/2-game deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox for the AL wild card spot.Despite both the Red Sox and Osi Umenyiora Jersey Red Braves having completely disastrous ends to their regular seasons, it is difficult to say which team blew the bigger lead. While Atlantas late-season collapse was definitely one that will never be forgotten, I feel that Bostons collapse was the more shocking of Osi Umenyiora Authentic Jersey the two, particularly given their easier season-ending series against the division-dwelling Orioles. Plus, with arguably a better lineup and bullpen than the Cardinals, the Red Sox for the second-straight season end with an extremely talented and expensive roster but without a postseason berth.With two end-of-the-season collapses in the books, the MLB postseason will now feature the following divisional series matchups: Texas Rangers versus Rays, Phillies versus Cardinals, Detroit Tigers versus Yankees, and Arizona Diamondbacks versus Milwaukee Brewers.Sources:Braves complete colossal collapse, lose to Phils, APRed Sox lose to Orioles 4-3, AP2010 San Francisco Giants Schedule, Baseball-Reference.com2011 St. Louis Cardinals Schedule, Baseball-Reference.com2011 Tampa Bay Rays Schedule, Baseball-Reference.com2011 MLB Postseason Schedule, MLB.comMore from this contributor:Top five team collapses in MLB history: A fans takeFans take: Will Giants ever allow As to move into their territory?Three reasons Ozzie Guillen to the Marlins is a good move: A fans takeMLB teams limiting energy drink consumption, cite negative effects to players healthFans take: Should Giants Let SP Sanchez walk away at end of season?
